Traffic Congestion — Interactive Activities

1. According to paragraph 1, why is traffic congestion a problem?

There are too few cars in cities There are too many vehicles competing for too little space Cities have no rush hour TomTom only studies rural roads

2. In 2015, TomTom estimated that during the evening rush hour alone the average commuter wasted about how much time?

100 hours 10 hours 1 hour 1,000 hours

3. Which of the following is given as a negative effect of traffic jams?

Emergency services may be unable to reach an emergency in time Drivers always become healthier Products are always delivered early There is never stress in traffic

4. How does traffic congestion affect the environment, according to paragraph 2?

It wastes fuel and produces more carbon dioxide through car exhaust It removes all carbon dioxide from the air Cars never use petrol in traffic Exhaust only affects water, not air

5. What does “the most obvious solutions” in paragraph 3 mainly refer to?

Engineering — for example building more roads, tunnels, and bridges Banning all cars immediately Closing every city centre Only using bicycles worldwide

6. What problem with engineering solutions does the passage mention?

Costs are extremely high, and more roads may actually result in more traffic Engineering is always free for cities Tunnels never help drivers Wider lanes always reduce the number of cars

7. What might happen if governments increase the cost of driving through taxes or charges?

People will think more carefully about using their cars, but some people may not be able to afford to drive Everyone will automatically buy more cars Fuel will always become free Voters always love higher fuel tax

8. What limitation of cycling does the passage mention?

It is not practical in every climate and can be dangerous in heavy traffic It always pollutes more than cars It has no health benefits It is illegal everywhere

9. What is a park-and-ride system?

People drive to the outskirts of cities, park, and then take a bus to the city centre People must park only in the city centre People can only use trains at night People walk from home to work with no stops

10. What does the conclusion say we should encourage?

Alternative forms of transport because they reduce traffic and help the environment More private cars in every city centre Removing all buses and trains Only building roads and never using public transport

Interactive Activities

Reading Instructions

Before You Begin

Discussion Activities

⏱️ Time and TomTom

😰 Effects on people and cities

🛣️ Engineering and taxes

🚌 Alternatives

🌍 Environment and conclusion

Multiple Choice Quiz

1. According to paragraph 1, why is traffic congestion a problem?

2. In 2015, TomTom estimated that during the evening rush hour alone the average commuter wasted about how much time?

3. Which of the following is given as a negative effect of traffic jams?

4. How does traffic congestion affect the environment, according to paragraph 2?

5. What does “the most obvious solutions” in paragraph 3 mainly refer to?

6. What problem with engineering solutions does the passage mention?

7. What might happen if governments increase the cost of driving through taxes or charges?

8. What limitation of cycling does the passage mention?

9. What is a park-and-ride system?

10. What does the conclusion say we should encourage?

Quiz Results

Fill in the Blanks

Results

True or False

1. In 2015 TomTom estimated that the average commuter wasted 100 hours during the evening rush hour alone.

2. The passage says engineering solutions are always cheap and can never lead to more traffic.

3. Cycling is practical in every climate and is never dangerous in heavy traffic.

4. A park-and-ride system can reduce congestion in the centre of the city.

5. The writer says we should encourage alternative forms of transport.

Results